Tigray Advisory Council

Controversial Tigray Advisory Council Established

A controversial body called Tigray advisory council has been established in the Tigray region of Ethiopia. Interim President Getachew Reda formally founded the body today. Advisory Council is the brainchild of General Tsadkan Gebretenasi who is President Getachew Reda’s key supporter and a staunch critic of TPLF Debretsion Gebremichael group. The council will have members from political parties, armed forces, civil society etc and it will make key decisions on regional level.

The council’s establishment follows prolonged internal disagreements within the TPLF, with one faction, led by Getachew Reda, supporting it as a means to incorporate diverse perspectives, while another, opposes it, viewing it as an effort to weaken and sideline the party.

Tigray People’s Liberation Front faction led by Chairman Debretsion Gebremichael says that the Interim administration, instead of steering the region towards next election, wants to extend its stay in power by forming advisory council.

The process of the establishment of the advisory council was met with criticism from other opposition parties too.

Salsay Weyane Tigray criticized the council, dismissing it as a tool to consolidate power rather than promote genuine political inclusivity. The party has accused the administration of sidelining key concerns of Tigrayans, particularly issues of accountability and the restoration of Tigray’s territorial integrity, by dissolving planned sub-committees under the council.

Despite the criticism, the interim administration has defended the move, asserting that the advisory council will provide a platform for dialogue and play a crucial role in shaping Tigray’s political future.

The launching ceremony was attended by senior interim administration officials, opposition members from opposition parties like Baytona, Tigray Independence Party, Asimba Democratic Party and other invited guests.

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